The Tennessee Titans are in a heap of trouble going into their Week 16 game against the Houston Texans, which is no doubt a must-win contest.
Not only are the Titans in the midst of a collapse in the AFC South after four losses in a row, but now they must stave-off the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are just one game behind, with a rookie quarterback under center.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Ryan Tannehill will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, which paves the way for 2022 third-round pick and quarterback, Malik Willis, to start.
While that situation creates a cause for concern thanks to the rookies lack of experience, there is a reason for optimism with Willis going into Saturday.
We talk about the bad of the Tannehill injury, the reason to be optimistic about Willis, and much more in our weekly look at the Titans’ reasons for optimism and concern going into their next game.
Optimism: Derrick Henry
With all the issues the Titans have going on on offense right now, at least they can depend on one constant: Derrick Henry dominating the Texans.
Henry has been an absolute animal against his division rival over 11 career games, with The King averaging a whopping 114 rushing yards per game, along with 11 touchdowns scored.
Here’s a look at what Henry has done in his last four games alone against Houston, all of which have been 200-yard performances:
32 rushes, 211 yards, 3 TD
22 rushes, 212 yards, 2 TD
34 rushes, 250 yards, 2 TD
32 rushes, 219 yards, 2 TD
Who needs a passing attack, eh?
Concern: No Ryan Tannehill
The Titans reportedly lost Ryan Tannehill for the remainder of the 2022 campaign after he sustained another injury to his right ankle in Week 15.
A Titans team that was already spiraling out of control and on the verge of collapse will now have to navigate the rest of the season with rookie quarterback Malik Willis.
We’re still very early in Willis’ development and it is quite clear he’s a step down from Tannehill, something we saw during his two starts earlier this season when the veteran missed time.
The Titans have been talking about Willis’ progression this week, including how he looked more comfortable in his lone series in Week 15, so hopefully we’ll see at least a slightly improved Malik in Week 16.
Optimism: Malik Willis' familiarity with Texans
Willis’ lack of experience overall will be a concern the rest of the way, but he does have more familiarity with the Titans’ Week 16 opponent than any other.
That’s because one of Willis’ two starts came against the Texans in Week 8, and while he did show some flashes in that game, the rookie completed just 6-of-10 passes for 55 yards and a pick in the winning effort. He also added five carries for 12 yards.
So, will the fact that Willis has already seen this defense help him this week? Head coach Mike Vrabel thinks so.
“I think that is fair,” Vrabel said of the idea that familiarity with the Texans can help Willis. “Not only that but just the comfort level of having been out there [previously].”
Concern: The offensive line
One of the many things Willis has to overcome now that he’s taken the reins is the team’s putrid offensive line, which recently lost Dillon Radunz, who had a chance to save the Titans at left tackle from Dennis Daley.
So much for that.
Tennessee’s offensive line concerns don’t end there, though. Both Nate Davis and Ben Jones are up in the air after not practicing the first two days of the week.
The group upfront has struggled badly even when those two have been on the field (the entire left side can be fired into the sun).
I don’t want to live in a world where Willis has to play behind this offensive line at all, and let alone without two of its best. The rookie better have his running shoes on for Saturday.
Optimism and concern: Injuries
After both logged a full practice on Wednesday, there appears to be a good chance the Titans will get a pair of key players back in Denico Autry and Treylon Burks, both of whom have missed multiple games in a row.
Autry’s absence has been felt big time on defense, as the Titans’ pass-rush and defense overall just hasn’t looked the same without him in the lineup.
Burks’ importance can’t be understated, either. The rookie is the team’s No. 1 option through the air, and one of the few receivers who can actually separate. His return puts Willis in a better position to succeed.
Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news on the injury front.
We already mentioned Jones and Davis, but Kristian Fulton and Amani Hooker are also in doubt after not practicing to start the week.
Concern: Texans are frisky
Yes, the Texans sport the worst record in the NFL, but there is no such thing as an automatic win for the Titans, a team that is trying its best to get off the struggle bus.
Adding to that, Houston has played well of late, with the Texans nearly beating the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs in back-to-back weeks — and they didn’t have their three-best offensive weapons for the latter.
Houston has been deploying a two-quarterback system, with Davis Mills throwing it and Jeff Driskel chipping in as both a passer and runner. The latter quality Driskel brings is of particular concern for the Titans, whose defense typically struggles against more mobile quarterbacks.
The Titans are still the better team, but letdown games are always a concern for this group, and especially this year when things have gone so poorly. Tennessee cannot afford one of those games on Saturday.
